| Neurogenic bladder is a condition that affects both | | | | With under active neurogenic bladder has a very |
| males and females and can result from disease, | | | | large capacity for urine because it has a tendency |
| injury, or birth defects that affect the brain, spinal | | | | to overfill. This is because it does not have the |
| cord, or nerves leading to the bladder. | | | | normal contractions that a bladder should when it |
| Neurogenic bladder is caused by problems with | | | | is full. |
| the nerves carrying messages between the | | | | Treatment options for neurogenic bladder usually |
| bladder and the brain which resdults in the loss of | | | | consist of intermittent or continuous |
| the normal bladder function control. | | | | catheterization. Intermittent catheterization is |
| Bladder function is normally automatic but is | | | | done four to six times per day and avoids the |
| governed by the brain. The final decision on | | | | complications that typically arise with continuous |
| whether or not to void is lost in patients with a | | | | catheterization, such as infection due to a buildup |
| neurogenic bladder and symptoms may vary | | | | of bacteria in the pelvic region. Many patients |
| depending upon the cause and other associated | | | | who have use of their arms can learn to |
| conditions. The sensory nerves in the bladder | | | | catheterize themselves, otherwise this procedure |
| sense the fullness of the bladder and then the | | | | must be done by a healthcare professional. |
| brain allows the motor nerves to trigger the | | | | Long-term management for neurogenic bladder |
| muscle contraction of the bladder wall muscles | | | | includes controlling one's fluid intake, not just by |
| which forces urine out through the urethera. | | | | the amount taken in but also according to how |
| Neurogenic bladder refers to a condition when this | | | | often one takes in fluids. This way a patient can |
| signal is interrupted or disabled, usually due to a | | | | be more aware of when they need to empty |
| disease of the nervous system, brain tumors or | | | | their bladder and there are less occurrences of |
| other diseases of the brain, injuries or disease of | | | | spontaneous emptying of the bladder and urine |
| the spinal cord, and conditions such as spina | | | | spillage. A patient may also be taught how to |
| bifida. Sometimes neurogenic bladder happens | | | | use external pressure on the muscles or by |
| after a surgery in the pelvic region. Neurogenic | | | | stretching so as to empty their bladder on |
| bladder gives a person difficulty in passing urine | | | | command. Surgery is another treatment option |
| without the use of a catheter or other external | | | | for neurogenic bladder. Doctors may implant |
| method. | | | | what is known as an inflatable sphincter in the |
| There are two types of neurogenic bladder; | | | | area of the bladder. |
| overactive which means a spastic or | | | | It is also important for patients with neurogenic |
| hyper-reflexive bladder and under active or | | | | bladder to continue the use of antibiotics so as to |
| hypotonic bladder. With overactive bladder there | | | | reduce the occurrences of infection in the area of |
| is frequent and uncontrolled leaking or expulsion of | | | | the bladder, especially if he or she is using an |
| urine from the bladder and typically reduced | | | | external catheter. Regular checkups are also |
| bladder capacity. Involuntary release of large | | | | needed so as to be sure that there are no such |
| volumes of urine or continuous dribbling of small | | | | infections occurring. |
| amounts are ongoing health issues and a cause of | | | | Always consult your doctor before using this |
| social embarsament. | | | | information. |